Microphone Find - B&O BM-3 and Sony C-57

[forgefocus]

Here are some photos from the manual. I'll let you decide... and, yes, they have the same switch on the back.

[forgefocus]

a few more pictures...

[DJamesGoody]

Yeah I have a pair of Sony C57s. Like I said earlier, they're noisy, but they sound great.

The remind me of a cleaner/less coloured Schoeps/Telefunken 221. Not as dark.

I've used them with great success as drum overheads/front kit mics, and piano where I don't want a huge low end, but need some softness. I've used them on upright bass as well, and was surprised. The keep low end contained nicely.

They are a bit too noisy for some quiet sources, which is unfortunate, because I'm betting they'd work well on some acoustic instruments, like strings, etc..

Also, use a shockmount. They have some body noise/ringing when you use the stock threadmount.

I do remember my tech guy did a mod or something to the power supply to lower the noise floor.... I'll ask him and repost.

Finally, if you decide against keeping them, let me know, and I'd consider buying them.

[forgefocus]

You are correct about them being noisy, which is a total drag because the majority of the recording I do is classical music. I can see them working great for drum overheads, however. Thank you so much for your time.

[dan alexander]

in my experience , the b&os are pretty useless...not enuf headroom , very low output..the c57s, on the other hand, can be great. however, you do need the original (or a usable clone) power supply , because the output tranny IS in the powe supply...and yes, the ps is identical to that of a c37A .... 500. was a steal. sell the b/os on ebay and find the sony power supplies .....

[forgefocus]

I do have the original power supplies. Both mics work great, one of the power supplies needs a new impedance selector. I'm looking to sell the pair of red B&O BM3s. What's a good asking price? Also, what are the C-57s worth as a pair with power supplies (with both power supplies working..i'll get it fixed soon).

[DJamesGoody]

I'd figure $2000-$2500 for the Sony pair.... but with gear inflation these days, I could eb way off.

[Bassmec]

Originally Posted by Corran

Nice find! I have a BM-3 myself, it's awesome. Get Stephen Sank to re-ribbon if you need to. It does have really low output, still, with the new ribbons. I also have the BM-5, a stereo version, with the original ribbons intact. Talk about low-output...

Steven Sank is the re ribbon champ and make sure you get a suitable pre amp
as they perform like shit on most 600ohm pre amps.

[Corran]

Originally Posted by Bassmec

Steven Sank is the re ribbon champ and make sure you get a suitable pre amp
as they perform like shit on most 600ohm pre amps.

Do you have any suggestion on what impedance to run it with? I've gotten decent results with some cheaper preamps but only on close-miked guitar cabs or trumpet. I also discovered that using a low impedance to high impedance transformer (Whirlwind Little IMP | Sweetwater.com) into a DI worked really well for some reason.

[forgefocus]

I have been using a Great River MP-2MH for the BM-3s.

[Bassmec]

I am not sure what the impedance of the MP-2MH is but its a damn fine pre amp by all accounts.
My best ribbon pre is an old RCA OP-6 and I find a big difference in tone between the 50 ohms and 250 ohms settings, at 50 ohms the top opens out and its louder of course.
I think the BM3 is 150 ohms nominal impedance.

[Paul Renz]

Hi Pan60,

Where can i get one of these? would you have more pictures of the shockmount?

Paul...

Originally Posted by pan60

[pan60]

i would have to make one next time i am doing some, i will try o do a few extras: )~
it is a universal mount i designed that i have not had time to get back to.

[Paul Renz]

Thanks allot, looking forward to see them

Paul...